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BMW N54 COBB AccessPORT Now Supports Alternate Fuels - E85

COBB Tuning is proud to announce that BMW N54 AccessPORT users can now tune for alternate fuels, such as E85, with the latest updates in AccessTUNER Race and AccessTUNER Pro tuning software. AccessPORT end-users and professional tuners can quickly update AccessPORT maps to accommodate fuels of different specific energy using the newly added Fuel Scalar tables, resulting in proper fuel trims during engine operation. This development opens the door for BMW N54 enthusiasts looking to take advantage of the performance and cost benefits of using E85 and other fuel blends.

Prior to this development, BMW N54 enthusiasts were limited to the extent they could blend E85 with regular gasoline and still have the engine operate safely within the window that the ECU fuel trims could accommodate. By giving end-users and professional tuners the ability to manipulate fuel scalars on their own, this limitation has been removed, allowing the ECU to operate with alternate fuels in the same way it does with traditional gasoline and maintain fuel trims within a range of 1%-3% while producing impressive power gains with excellent power delivery characteristics.

A Fuel Scalar table is assigned to each cylinder bank in the AccessTUNER software. For most ECUís, these tables are simple one-dimensional scaling factors that allow the user to adjust the fuel scaling up or down as needed. In the 1M ECU, the fuel scalar tables are two-dimensional 16x16 tables that scale fuel based on engine RPM and load.

Non-1M ECU Fuel Scalar Table

1M ECU Fuel Scalar Table

Due to variation in fuel blends across the country, E85 Off-The-Shelf maps will not be available for download. Instead, the end-user is empowered to tune specifically for the fuel blend at their favorite fuel source using AccessTUNER software and data-logging to ensure proper performance. This also allows the end-user to blend different fuels to their liking and quickly tune for it. The BMW AccessTUNER Help Guide has been updated to include Fuel Scalar table descriptions as well as a reference chart for estimated Fuel Scalar values for different blends of ethanol and gasoline.

To update AccessTUNER and acquire the latest Fuel Scalar tables, simply open the software, click on Help in the menu bar, select Updates and click Check for Updates. In the pop-up window, check the Beta Software box in the lower right corner. Click the Get Updates button and follow on-screen instructions to complete the software upgrade and start tuning for alternate fuels!

@Rob@Cobb, any chance of us I8AOS guys getting a scalar table like the 1M? I typically see higher fuel trims around peak torque and they 0 out up top. Would be great to be able to adjust by load and rpm!

Also, thank you proTUNING Freaks... Jake provided the chart found in the tuning guide that converts E% to specific gravity and then to a final scalar (that you can use as a multiplier) to correct fuel trims with your preferred mix of E85.

Also, thank you proTUNING Freaks... Jake provided the table found in the tuning guide that converts E% to specific gravity and then to a final scalar (that you can use as a multiplier) to correct fuel trims with your preferred mix of E85.

It is possible to run 100% E85, but the higher the percentage, the higher the risk of fuel system failures. That being said, go make some power fellas!

This is what I was wondering. The engine would be able to handle e85 but what about the other hardware? Would a complete fuel system upgrade be needed? If so, what components and do aftermarket components exist?

Awesome! To anybody planning to run straight e85 I would recommend adding a cap of marvel mystery oil to every tank. E85 is "dryer " than regular gasoline thus not lubricating the system as well. It should help any failures that could occur.

Awesome! To anybody planning to run straight e85 I would recommend adding a cap of marvel mystery oil to every tank. E85 is "dryer " than regular gasoline thus not lubricating the system as well. It should help any failures that could occur.